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After 100 days, the Office Excellence Hub takes stock

“In the long term, advancing excellence will involve all areas of the University.”

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At the beginning of February, our university successfully passed the first stage of the Excellence Strategy of the German federal and state governments. Leipzig will submit two full proposals for Clusters of Excellence. As reported in February, the newly established Office Excellence Hub (OEH), headed by Dr Christiane Füldner, has been entrusted with the university-wide management of the demanding work processes involved. After an intense first few months and a good 100 days in office, we spoke to her and her colleagues Dr Lysann Penkalla and Dr Reiko Liermann about their roles, personal motivation and experiences so far.

Drei Personen laufen im Neuen Augusteum nebeneinander auf die Kamera zu
The Office Excellence Hub with Dr Christiane Füldner, Dr Reiko Liermann and Dr Lysann Penkalla (from left). Photo: Christian Hüller, Leipzig University

Mr Liermann, how did the OEH come into being? 

Dr Reiko Liermann: The Office of the Vice-Rector for Excellence Development had the idea of setting up what it calls an “Office Excellence Hub” back in summer 2022. This was prompted by a letter from the Saxon State Ministry of Science, Culture and Tourism (SMWK) in which Leipzig University was asked, among other things, to name accompanying measures to strengthen Cluster of Excellence initiatives. The external Sounding Board, an advisory body to the Rectorate, later took up this need at its spring meeting in 2023 and expressly recommended its implementation. The Office of the Vice-Rector for Excellence Development was then tasked with completing the establishment of the OEH by the end of 2023. We would like to thank all the people and organisations involved for making it possible to set up the OEH so quickly. 

 

Dr Füldner, what are the tasks entrusted to the OEH?

Dr Christiane Füldner: We support the Rectorate in its implementation of the Excellence Strategy and are tied to the Vice-Rectorate for Excellence Development, enabling us to fulfil several intermediary functions. We provide advice and support for the Cluster of Excellence proposals and play a key role in managing the application process. At the same time, we are directly involved in writing parts of the proposals. In close consultation with the external Sounding Board, an advisory body to the Rectorate, we are also developing our approach to applying for the DFG university allowance. Last but not least, we see ourselves as a service team for all those involved in shaping the Excellence Strategy and the profiling process.  

What motivated you to join the OEH?

Dr Christiane Füldner: Over the past few years, as a research officer, I have supported many of the large and small collaborative projects that form the basis of Cluster of Excellence proposals. In projects such as iDiv, the Transregio 172 Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) “Arctic Amplification AC3” and CRC 1052 “Obesity Mechanisms”, I worked closely with the researchers and was privileged to experience their enthusiasm for outstanding research. I am now looking forward to supporting these researchers in the challenge of becoming officially excellent! 

Dr Lysann Penkalla: I coordinated CRC 1052 “Obesity Mechanisms” at the Faculty of Medicine for six years. For twelve years, this Collaborative Research Centre, which is coming to an end this year, has conducted interdisciplinary research into the causes, prevention and treatment of the widespread disease of obesity, and has had a significant impact on the University’s research profile. That is why I am particularly pleased that parts of this research focus are being incorporated into the proposed Cluster of Excellence LeiCeM, and that I can continue to stay in close contact with my fantastic colleagues from the CRC. 

In the long term, advancing excellence at Leipzig University, a goal set by the University management in its “Strategy 2030” under the slogan “Committed to Excellence”, will affect all areas of the University.

Dr Lysann Penkalla

What support does the OEH provide to the Cluster spokesperson teams? 

Dr Christiane Füldner: In recent years, the most successful projects have been those that have been closely monitored over the long term. With this in mind, the OEH’s tasks include coordinating the University’s strategies and measures in various areas – such as equal opportunities, academic staff development, research infrastructure, transfer and internationalisation – in the best possible way and crafting a convincing description of their implementation in the full proposals. 

In practical terms, this means that the OEH exchanges information with the respective areas and analyses the appropriate measures to ensure success for the University. We then flesh out these ideas based on the input from the Cluster proposals, also in view of a potential application to the Universities of Excellence funding line. 

 

With which other areas of the University do you have a close working relationship?

Dr Lysann Penkalla: In addition to the researchers and faculties involved, we work with many areas of the University. These include in particular the Rectorate, central institutions such as the University Library, the University Computing Centre and the Graduate Academy, as well as offices such as the Office for Equality, Diversity and Family Affairs, the Office for University Communications and the Office for Strategic University Planning, and of course the University’s central administration. We and the Vice-Rector for Excellence Development, Professor Jens-Karl Eilers, are also in contact with the relevant university committees and their various status groups, the Sounding Board, the Student Council, the MULE and, last but not least, the City of Leipzig and the SMWK. In the long term, advancing excellence at Leipzig University, a goal set by the University management in its “Strategy 2030” under the slogan “Committed to Excellence”, will affect all areas of the University.

What other support does the OEH receive for its work? 

Dr Christiane Füldner: As science managers, we make our expertise available to the Cluster consortia. But the topic of excellence development is far too complex and a task for the entire University. That is why we are delighted that Leipzig University is competing as a united team. We are grateful for all the input, innovative ideas and contributions we receive from across the University. In recent weeks, we have seen that many dedicated colleagues share and support the goal of developing excellence. We are also supported by the external consultancy ARTTIC Innovation GmbH and the external Sounding Board. This is important so that an outsider’s view – the external perspective – is not lost as an important factor in the writing and development process.

When submitting full proposals for the two initiatives, it is particularly important that we present the planned research projects in a convincing, well-founded and coherent manner.

Dr Reiko Liermann

What is most important when submitting full proposals for the two initiatives? 

Dr Reiko Liermann: The competition is extremely tough and we have to hold our own against strong rivals. The Free State of Saxony now has the unique opportunity to honour two “Universities of Excellence”. But Leipzig University now also has the opportunity to score twice with its proposed Clusters of Excellence. 

When submitting full proposals for the two initiatives, it is particularly important that we present the planned research projects in a convincing, well-founded and coherent manner. It is also important to highlight how these projects stand out from other initiatives – their unique selling point. The competition is fierce. In addition to these criteria, cooperation within the Cluster and the suitability of the location also need to be underscored. This is where the university-wide approach that we often emphasise comes into play. Many areas of the University now have the opportunity, but also the responsibility, to contribute to the success of both funding lines. Shortly after the DFG approved the submission of two full proposals, the Rector said: “We have never come this far before and we have the unique opportunity to secure two Clusters.”

 

Can any member of the University approach you with questions about the Excellence Strategy process and where can people find out more? 

Dr Christiane Füldner: Our team is always happy to answer questions and advise our colleagues. We have set up a general email address for this purpose.